Northwoods Bill wrote in post #18017582Nice image. So do you just walk up and ask if you can take a picture? If so how often are you turned down?

Thanks.

It's a little too early for me to accurately measure the success/failure rate. I approach both known subjects and strangers. Artists, musicians, and business owners who thrive on promotion are naturally more inclined of course. With strangers, yes, I just walk up and ask. I don't waste time with the majority who are disengaged from their environment (reasonably or unreasonably) with cell phone calls, mobile device addiction, in-depth conversations, lunch, the general business of life, obvious paranoia, etc. Sometimes it's the stranger who initiates the conversation. But I look for people who interest me, are genuinely living in the moment, and occasionally even exude a desire to be photographed. But among strangers that I exercise some selectivity with, I'd say a conservative guess would be something like 1 out of 5 playing along, give or take.

Virtually no one wants to chit chat in the rain--wimps. That portrait is my White Whale.

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